About Michael

Michael believes that everyone can benefit from counseling and strives to meet each person where they are, regardless of age, gender, culture, ethnicity, or religious affiliation. Finding the right therapist can feel intimidating, and it’s natural to feel challenged or overwhelmed by life events and experiences. Michael is prepared to help you navigate the chaos, confusion, and pain to uncover the root of these issues and work toward healing.

He aims to walk alongside the individuals he meets on their unique journeys, creating a space where they feel safe and comfortable being themselves. As a counselor, Michael is dedicated to promoting individuals’ well-being while helping them grow and heal.

Michael immigrated to the United States from Egypt as a young adult and is fluent in both English and Arabic. He has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by multicultural individuals and is empathetic to those navigating similar transitions. Over the past decade, Michael has volunteered and worked in fourteen countries, spending years in African nations as an HIV counselor, which inspired him to pursue a career in counseling and help others carry their burdens.

In his work in the nonprofit sector, Michael has developed counseling materials for widows and children who have lost their fathers, focusing on emotional resilience, addiction, grieving, and more. He is passionate about working with young adults and adults, supporting them through various challenges, including parent-child relationships, couples’ issues, anxiety, depression, life transitions, spiritual and multicultural issues, generational conflicts, and relational trauma.

Since every person is a unique and multifaceted individual, Michael strives to take a holistic and integrative approach to tailor therapy to the needs of each client. He believes in therapy as a collaboration between the client and himself. He uses various evidence-based techniques.

Michael completed a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University and is currently a Licensed Resident in Counseling (license #0704016022), which renews annually on June 30. He is working under the supervision of Marianne G. Shirilla, MAMFC, LMFT, LPC-S. Michael’s goal is to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and he is trained in EMDR to become a Certified Trauma Professional.

Get in touch for a no-cost 20-minute consult. His current availability includes Saturdays from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and afternoons and evenings from 3:30 pm to 9:30 pm, Monday through Thursday. To schedule an appointment, please contact Michael or by phone at 703-382-7212. You can also view his profile on psychologytoday.com.

Sessions are $150 and available immediately. While guaranteed payment from insurance cannot be assured, Michael accepts most Virginia Anthem BCBS and CareFirst DC Capital Region plans, including FEPBlue and out-of-state BCBS. All in-network insurance is billed through the supervisor. If you prefer out-of-network reimbursement, Michael can provide a statement for you to submit to your insurance company. Michael offers both in-person and virtual sessions.

Michael is currently accepting new clients.